Marker

ABSTRACT

Comprising a body ( 1 ) constituted by a flexible and reversibly deformable material, in order to prevent its breakage in the event of being run over.  
     Comprising a housing ( 3 ) into which is inserted in a close-fitting manner a segment ( 2 ) of the body ( 3 ), the housing ( 3 ) being secured to the ground, such that when a cone is run over, it bends about the upper part of the segment ( 2 ) and when pressed against the ground it is deformed, all this in such a manner that when pressure ceases to be applied against the ground, it recovers its initial position and shape.  
     Comprising a reflector band ( 7 ) sewn to a removable sheath ( 5 ) which is adapted to the body ( 1 ) by means of a zip fastener ( 6 ).  
     It is preferentially applicable in the signalling of airport runways.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved traffic cone, theimprovements in which are intended to endow it with flexibility, and atthe same time it is deformable reversibly in order to endow it withgreat resistance to any possible impact it may receive from vehiclestravelling in the area demarcated by traffic cones.

[0002] The invention is preferentially applicable for the marking ofroutes in airports, and more specifically the “taxiways”, but maylikewise be employed for the marking roadways and, in general, for anyapplication that requires to have demarcation by means of traffic cones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The use is well known of marker traffic cones which comprise abody on the surface of which is located at least one reflector band, andmeans for securing to the ground.

[0004] Generally speaking, these traffic cones are made from PVC which,through the effect of temperature changes and bad weather lose theirflexibility whereby, in the event of possible impact, they are easilybroken, which constitutes a serious drawback.

[0005] Moreover the reflector bands are constituted by a ring arrangedon the body of the traffic cone, which configuration has thedisadvantage that on exposure to sunlight and having to withstand hightemperatures, the distension of the body and the band takes place,resulting in it falling, signifying that the traffic cone loses the mainfunction for which it is intended, that is, to be visible to the driversof vehicles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] To overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, the invention hasdeveloped a new traffic cone which like the conventional ones is endowedwith at least one reflector band, being also provided with means forsecuring the traffic cone to the ground; and which is characterised inthat the body is constituted by a flexible and reversibly deformablematerial, in order to prevent its breakage in the event of being runover by the wheels of a vehicle, like for example an aeroplane, truck,etc., and which is also highly resistant to impacts received from theunderside of passing vehicles.

[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, the body of the traffic coneis solid, and is preferentially constituted by a semi-rigid foam rubber,like for example polyurethane, such that when the body is run over bythe wheels of a vehicle, it bends until it makes contact with the groundand as the wheels run over it, is deformed, in such a manner that whenpressure ceases to be applied to the body, the latter recovers itsupright position and initial shape.

[0008] The means for securing to the ground are determined by a housingopen on one of its faces through which a segment of the body of thetraffic cone is introduced in a close-fitting manner.

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, the bottom of the housingcomprises at least one hole through which is ejected the air displacedwhen the close-fitting insertion of the body is carried out.Subsequently the housing is positioned in and fastened to the ground byclosing the hole, in such a manner that the extraction of the body isprevented by the vacuum that is produced because of the close-fittinghousing.

[0010] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing and thesegment of the body that is introduced therein, are cylindrical, andsaid housing is open on its upper base, and its lower base includes thehole.

[0011] In addition, the housing is endowed on its outside surface withat least one projection extending around the perimeter, which preventsits extraction from the ground once inserted and secured therein.

[0012] The segment of the body that is introduced in the housing is ofless diameter than the rest of the body.

[0013] Advantageously the body is covered with a removable sheath towhich is sewn the reflector band. The sheath includes a longitudinal zipfastener to permit its adaptation to the body and its removal.

[0014] The fact that the reflector band is sewn to the sheath, which ispreferably of nylon, prevents high temperatures from producing thedetachment of the reflector band, as conventionally occurs, and inaddition the fact that it is sewn to the sheath means that it can bereplaced when it becomes worn.

[0015] Close to its bottom, the housing incorporates a narrowing definedby a slightly conical segment in order to achieve a better fit betweenhousing and body. Clearly to achieve this same functionality, thereexists the possibility that in the upper part of the segment that isinserted into the housing, a conical widening be incorporated.

[0016] For the purpose of facilitating a better understanding of thisdescriptive specification and forming an integral part thereof, a numberof drawings are attached in which by way of illustration and notrestrictively, the object of the invention is shown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the different elements thatconstitute the traffic cone, according to a possible embodiment of theinvention.

[0018]FIG. 2 shows a view in perspective of the traffic cone in whichthe different constituent elements have been mounted together.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the traffic cone of theprevious figure, secured to the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] A description is provided hereunder based on the aforementionedfigures.

[0021] The traffic cone of the invention includes a body 1 provided atits lower end with a segment 2 of smaller diameter, the whole assemblybeing made of semi-rigid foam, such as for example polyurethane, in sucha manner that it is flexible and reversibly deformable.

[0022] Moreover the traffic cone of the invention comprises a housing 3which comes with an annular protuberance 4, and on its bottom includessome holes 8.

[0023] On a basis of the description made, it is easy to see that thisconfiguration permits the close-fitting insertion of segment 2 intohousing 3, in which operation the air displaced by segment 2 exitsthrough holes 8, provided that these are not closed, for which reasonthis operation must preferably be carried out before securing thehousing to the ground.

[0024] Once segment 2 has been introduced into housing 3, the latter ispositioned in and secured to the ground by means of cement or any othermeans, the securing action being strengthened by the inclusion of theannular projection 4, in such a manner that any attempt to extract thetraffic cone results in a vacuum being formed in the bottom of thehousing 3, which prevents removal of the traffic cone.

[0025] To ensure that this vacuum is formed, there exists thepossibility that the upper section of segment 2 include a slightlyconical widening, in such a manner that its exerts a greater pressureagainst the walls of the housing. Clearly this same effect is achievedif there is a conical section, in the lower segment of the housing 3,which defines a narrowing, in order to exert a greater pressure againstthe surface of the lower part of segment 2.

[0026] Moreover the traffic cone of the invention comes with a sheath 5which is provided with a zip fastener 6 that permits the fitting thereofto the body 1. Said zip fastener permits the detachment of the sheath 5.

[0027] On sheath 5 is sewn a reflector band 7 which constitutes thetraffic cone's marking medium.

[0028] This configuration signifies that when the traffic cone is struckor run over by a vehicle, it flexes about the upper part of segment 2,turning through 90 degrees until coming into contact with the ground, aflattening and deformation taking place, such that when the pressure isremoved, it returns to its upright position and recovers its originalshape, whereby a highly resistant and long-lasting traffic cone isobtained.

1. IMPROVED TRAFFIC CONE which comprises at least one reflector band andmeans for securing to the ground; it is characterised in that the body(1) is constituted by a flexible and reversibly deformable material, inorder to prevent its breakage when run over.
 2. IMPROVED TRAFFIC CONE,in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the body (1) is ofpolyurethane.
 3. IMPROVED TRAFFIC CONE, in accordance with claim 1 or 2,characterised in that the body (1) is solid.
 4. IMPROVED TRAFFIC CONE,in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the means for securingto the ground are determined by a housing (3) open on one of its facesthrough which a segment (2) of the body (1) is introduced in aclose-fitting manner.
 5. IMPROVED TRAFFIC CONE, in accordance with claim4, characterised in that the bottom of the housing (3) comprises atleast one hole (8) through which is ejected the air displaced when theclose-fitting insertion of the segment (2) of the body (1) is carriedout; in order that once said insertion is carried out the housing (3) ispositioned in and fastened to the ground closing the hole whereby theremoval of the body (1) is prevented.
 6. IMPROVED TRAFFIC CONE, inaccordance with claim 5, characterised in that the housing and thesegment of the body that is introduced therein, are cylindrical, saidhousing (3) being open on its upper base and its bottom includes atleast the hole (8).
 7. IMPROVED TRAFFIC CONE, in accordance with claim6, characterised in that the housing (3) is endowed on its outsidesurface with at least one annular projection (4) which prevents itsextraction from the ground once positioned in and fastened thereto. 8.IMPROVED TRAFFIC CONE, in accordance with claim 6, characterised in thatthe segment (2) of the body (1) that is introduced in the housing is ofless diameter than the rest of the body (1).
 9. IMPROVED TRAFFIC CONE,in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that it comes with aremovable enclosing sheath (5) to which is sewn the reflector band (7).10. IMPROVED TRAFFIC CONE, in accordance with claim 9, characterised inthat the sheath (5) is nylon and includes a zip fastener (6) to permitits fitting to the body (1) and also permit the detachment of saidsheath.